21 Top Spots Outside Japan's 'Golden Route'
Many tourists concentrate on the so-called 'Golden Route' connecting Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. But what do you do if you want to get off the principal tourist highway and see the best of the rest? Here are Japan's 21 best off-the-Golden-Route spots!
Japan's 8 Best-Preserved Castle Towns
While some ancient castles may be hard to find in Japan today, many of their surrounding villages are still standing strong.
5 Must-See Cherry Blossom Sites in Hokuriku
Hokuriku has many quaint and historical places, including eye-filling viewing spots of cherry blossoms that have attracted a large number of international visitors. We're going to show you five of the top spots the region has to offer!
10 Picture-Perfect Views in Kanazawa, Japan
Since the 2015 opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, the Hokuriku area of Japan has been getting much more attention from tourists. Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture is especially popular with its abundant nature and rustic environment.
Is Japan Boring Outside of Tokyo?
Tokyo certainly has charm and no one could doubt the convenience of living or staying in the major city. However, there’s so much more to see outside of Tokyo and I'm happy to give you a few examples... it’s literally my job to promote the entire country.
Bring Home the Gold from Kanazawa
It's a long-standing Japanese social custom to buy souvenirs for friends and colleagues during your travels. And if you're visiting Kanazawa, here are the sweet treats you need to bring back, including gilded cake!
4 Great Day Trips from Kanazawa
Kanazawa is known for its gold, its historical streets and its top-ranked garden. It can also serve as a brilliant base for a number of incredible sights in the region!
5 Most Expensive Fruits That Are Made in Japan
Fruits in Japan can be expensive when compared to other countries—in fact, five out of the six most expensive fruits in the world are from here! Let's took a look the these costly treats!
Great Cities Made Greater with Kimono Rentals
There are a number of places in Japan where you can rent a kimono and enjoy walking around town, typically centered around regions with well-preserved historical streets. And it's not just Kyoto!
Shoryudo: Enter Japan’s Dragon Route
Journey along with Greg as he embarks on a weeklong adventure around central Japan's 'Rising Dragon Region,' or Shoryudo, enjoying food, culture, history and laughs along the way.
The Top 11 Hot Spring Hot Spots in Japan!
Before modern medicine was invented, onsen (hot springs) were revered as sacred places blessed with magical healing properties. During the Edo Period, sick patients would soak in the onsen for weeks to leave the pools feeling healthy and refreshed!
Full List—Japan's Intangible Cultural Heritage
Beyond its 20 spectacular World Cultural Heritage Sites, Japan has 21 traditions recognized by UNESCO as elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Japan’s 8 Most Gorgeous Ryokan Hot Springs
The central feature of a traditional Japanese inn—or 'ryokan'—is the communal hot bath.
Get Your Face Wrapped in Gold
One Japanese hot spring will wrap your face in gold leaf at a price that's more affordable than you might think.
Get Cheap Food at Kanazawa's Biggest Market
It can cost a pretty penny to get out to beautiful Kanazawa, but Omicho Market lets you save a few yen on your food budget—with a massive selection!
10 Free Spots in Hokuriku
Japan's Hokuriku region offers plenty of appealing tourist attractions—and not all of them will cost you anything! We're here to show you 10 free spots in the region that are too good to miss!
8 Ways to Go Deeper (& Cheaper!) in Kanazawa
While you can just take the shinkansen from Tokyo to Kanazawa, why not take your time and take in some culture on the way? Then we've got some tips for how to save money while you're there!
Seeing Stars in Kanazawa: Michelin 2-Star Tour
Ever since the Hokuriku Shinkansen started running, Kanazawa has been getting more exposure and attention among travelers local and foreign, including 'Michelin Guide' food inspectors.
Hands-On Fun Along the Shoryudo Dragon Route
After experiencing the unforgettable Ukiyo-e Route of the Shoryudo (Rising Dragon Road), we made our way up north to learn all about the treasures of Chubu, Japan's central region.
Top 30 Spots Across Japan Ranked by Tourists
Travel website TripAdvisor has just listed this year's hot spots in Japan as selected by overseas visitors and we can't wait to see what's at number one!
